rm a heart and so bright an intellect they could not fail to be.

In April, 1880, when Mr. Gladstone's candidature in Midlothian was causing
the greatest excitement and enthusiasm, Lady Russell received this letter
from Mrs. Gladstone.

120, GEORGE STREET, EDINBURGH, _April_ 4, 1880

MY DEAR LADY RUSSELL,--We are so much touched by your letter and
all the warmth and kindness you have shown to ourselves and Mary
and Herbert. How can I thank you enough? I see in your letter all
the memories of the past, and that you can throw your kind heart
into the present moment lovingly. The old precious memories only
make you more alive to what is going on, as you think of _him_
who had gone before and shown so noble an example to my husband. No
doubt it did not escape you, words of my husband about Lord
Russell.... All here goes on splendidly; the enthusiasm continues
to increase, and all the returns have thrown us into a wild state
of ecstasy and thankfulness. It is, indeed, a blessing passing all
expectations, and I look back to all the time of anxiety beginning
with the Bulgarian horrors, all my husband's anxious hard work of
the past three or four years--how he was ridiculed and
insulted--and now, thank God, we are seeing the extraordinary
result of the elections, and listening to the goodness and
greatness of the policy so shamefully slandered; righteous
indignation has burst forth.... I loved to hear him saying aloud
some of the beautiful psalms of thanksgiving as his mind became
overwhelmed with gratitude and relieved with the great and good
news. Thank you again and again for your letter.

Yours affectionately,

CATHERINE GLADSTONE

_Sir Mount Stuart Grant Duff [101] to Lady Russell_

_June_ 8, 1883

As to the public questions at home--alas! I can say nothing but
echo what you and some other wise people tell me. One is far too
much _out_ of the whole thing. I do not fear the Radical, I
greatly fear the Radical, or crotchet-monger.... Your phrase about
the division on the Affirmation Bill [102] rises to the dignity of
a _mot,_ and will be treasured by me as such. "The triumph of
all that is worst in the name of all that is best."

[101] At that time Governor of Madras.

[102] In the April of 1881 Gladstone gave notice of an Affirmation
Bill, to enable men like Mr. Bradlaugh to becom